The renovations to the area surrounding Union Grounds on the first floor of the Brown-Lupton University Union will begin Dec. 17, said Kathy Cavins-Tull, vice chancellor for student affairs.

The renovations should be completed by the beginning of the spring semester, Cavins-Tull said.

Union Grounds will have larger seating areas and a larger counter area for sandwiches and ice cream.

SGA House representatives visited the area to look at the plans and offer suggestions for the furniture to be used in the new Union Grounds.

During the formal Tuesday meeting, the SGA House passed a resolution urging faculty to accommodate a TCU student coming back to campus after recovering from a serious disease.

According to the resolution’s language, senior nursing major Amberle Durano was diagnosed and hospitalized with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TENS) in October.  This rare and often deadly skin disease has left Durano “unable to complete classes this fall.”

The resolution also authorizes a well-wishing letter to be sent to Durano and her family on SGA’s behalf.

The resolution passed the House 25-8 with one House member abstaining from the vote.

Those in favor of the resolution, such as Vice President for Operations Josh Simpson, argued that the right thing to do was to offer SGA support for a student recovering from a serious illness.

Many representatives offered personal praise toward Durano, but expressed doubts about the resolution.

Several representatives cautioned that the bill raises a troubling double standard if SGA doesn’t offer support to all students who face serious illnesses or trauma.

The House also passed a resolution that essentially eliminates two SGA positions, historian and communications coordinator.

The bill, introduced by SGA Administrative Assistant Blake Tilley, allows the Speaker of the House to only appoint a parliamentarian, an administrative assistant, and a chaplain.

There was neither a historian nor a communications coordinator in SGA this year while their responsibilities were fulfilled by various members of House, Tilley said.